U.S. Open Leader: Club Change Fueled Success
- — Yealimi Noh's putting woes are seemingly a thing of the past. At Erin Hills on Thursday, the 23-year-old San Francisco pro leveraged a putter change to vault...
- Noh readily admits that putting was once a notable weakness.
- "It probably doesn’t matter when you’re struggling," Noh said.
Yealimi Noh surged into the lead at the U.S.Women’s Open, thanks to a crucial club change. The San Francisco pro conquered putting struggles, crediting a long putter for enhanced speed and newfound confidence on the greens. This tactical switch proved transformational, leading to a tie for first after the opening round. Prior to the change, Noh struggled with the yips, leading to a coach-suggested long putter. The L.A.B. Golf broomstick putter has also helped her with short putts. her performance underscores the significant impact of strategic equipment choices at the highest level of competition. With the improved putting, Noh secured her first LPGA win. read more at News Directory 3. Discover what’s next for Noh in her pursuit of the championship!
Yealimi Noh’s Putter Change Propels Her at U.S. Women’s Open
Updated May 29, 2025
ERIN, Wis. — Yealimi Noh’s putting woes are seemingly a thing of the past. At Erin Hills on Thursday, the 23-year-old San Francisco pro leveraged a putter change to vault into a tie for first after the morning wave of the U.S. Women’s Open. Her four-under 68 included three birdies and an eagle on the par-4 15th,where she chipped in.
Noh readily admits that putting was once a notable weakness. Two years ago, she struggled with the yips. “I was not in a good spot with my putting,” Noh saeid. “To be honest, I was having the yips, and it was really challenging. I didn’t know what to do.”
Her coach suggested a long putter. Initially awkward, Noh embraced the change. “It probably doesn’t matter when you’re struggling,” Noh said. “you will do anything you can to get better.”
Noh eventually switched to an L.A.B Golf broomstick putter. This season, she’s gaining strokes putting on the LPGA Tour.During the first round at Erin Hills, she needed just 28 putts. She sank a 15-foot birdie putt on the 2nd hole and a 17-foot birdie putt on the 13th. Her putting stroke involves placing her left hand on top of the putter and her right hand on the lower grip, followed by a speedy glance at the hole before stroking the ball.
Her improved putting has drawn attention from her peers. “Yeah, my speed was really good today, and I worked a lot on that leading up to today,” Noh said. “The L.A.B. putter has been so much for me, not only the long putts, but the short putts. really solid with those.”
Noh added, “My speed honestly has gotten a lot better with the long putter. Yeah, way better than when I had a standard length putter. So it’s been really good.”
The improved putting stroke contributed to Noh’s first LPGA win at the Founders Cup in February. Since then, she has made the cut in six of seven events. “Yeah, so much more confidence,” Noh said of her win.”I think it takes a lot of pressure off my back and a lot of — yeah, just confidence and assurance and more belief in myself and my shots and what I can do even if I don’t have a great start or a great round.”
What’s next
Noh will continue play in the U.S. Women’s Open, aiming to maintain her momentum and capitalize on her improved putting to contend for the championship.